Holder for linens and the like



June 7, 1955 M REED 2,709,861

HOLDER FOR LINENS AND THE LIKE Filed July 20, 1955 figg Unite States Patent: O

2,709,861 HOLDER FR LINENS AND TllE LIKE Lenore M. Reed, Brockton, Mass.

Application July 20, 1953, Serial No. 368,940

3 Claims. (Cl. 38-71) This invention relates to a device for use in the storage of fine linens and the like, such as place mats and napkins and more particularly concerns a novel holder of simplified construction in which place mats and similar articles may be stored under some pressure to maintain and renew their freshness when not in use.

One advantage of my new holder is that it provides a container of simple, inexpensive, and durable structure for storage of place mats, linens, napkins, etc., therein.

A further advantage is that while stored in my holder these articles are held under pressur-e, which tends to keep them always fresh and flat.

Another advantage -of my new holder is that I may provide covers therefor which are transparent, so as to make readily identifiable the articles contained therein.

Yet another advantage is that is my novel holder end less elastic bands are made to serve a multiplicity of functions; as hinges for one set of corresponding edges of base and cover; as closures for the opposing set of corresponding edges; and as compression members for th-e entire device.

My invention features the provision of a base of rigid material against which place mats or similar articles may be placed, and a cover for overlying the articles, said base and cover being provided with holes at corresponding locations near corresponding edges thereof to accept endless elastic bands which may be stretched around the opposing edges of the base and cover, to press the base and cover together, and compress the articles therebetw-een.

Additional advantages and features of the invention will become readily apparent in the following detailed description. The accompanying drawings show a preferred embodiment of my invention in which:

Fig. l is a plan view of my new holder showing one corner of the cover bent up, place mats placed therein being indicated in dotted lines;

Fig. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view on an enlarged scale on line 2 2 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 shows a similar partial cross-sectional view (but with the elastic not shown) of a modification of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in Figs. l and 2 a relatively rigid base 2, which may suitably be fabricated from cardboard, or similar rigid material, and a transparent plastic cover 4, rigid or pliable, the edges of which may be provided with edging 6 of cloth or any suitable material. The corners may be square or rounded as a matter of choice.

The base 2 and the cover 4 are provided, in the embodiments shown, with two holes S and two holes 10 of any suitable shape, respectively, at corresponding locations adjacent corresponding longitudinal edges 12 and 14, respectively, thereof. These holes may be reinforced by the eyelets 16 and 18, respectively, which may be mounted therein by any suitable means.

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Through each pair of aligned holes, thus reinforced, extends a band 20, `of elastic material, which is joined, as indicated at 22, so that it is endless, like a rubber band.

Each band 20 has the effect of holding together the base 2 and the cover 4 adjacent their longitudinal edges 12 and 14. In the preferred embodiment, as shown, the elastic 20 has a width and thickness such that unless special force is exerted said elastic will not slide through the holes 8 and 10. The longitudinal edges 12 and 14 are thus held closely together, the band 20 serving as a hinge so that the cover can be lifted from the opposing edge thereof like a book. In any case, the band 20 is adapted to be stretched around the opposing edge of the holder to keep it closed and the place mats under pressure (left-hand band 20, Fig. l), or pulled away so as to allow swinging apart 4of the base 2 and cover 4 to afford access to the articles held therebetween (righthand band 20, Fig. l). In Fig. l, place mats resting in the storage and compression zone between the base 2 and the cover 4 are shown in dotted lines.

A somewhat modified form of the novel holder according to the invention is shown in Fig. 3. In this embodiment, two identical covers 4 and 4a are provided, one on each side of the base 2. This makes possible a separate flat-compressive storage space for each of two different kinds of place mats, napkins, or similar articles in a single press.

It will be apparent that I have provided a new press for place mats and other small household linens which is simple, convenient to use, and inexpensive.

Embodiments of my invention other than those described herein may of course be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of my invention.

I claim:

1. A unitary press-type holder for linens and the like comprising a flat base member, a at cover member in face-to-face relation thereto, said members having their edges aligned on at least one side and being provided at corresponding locations adjacent said side with at least two pairs of aligned holes', and an endless band of elastic material extending through each of said pairs of aligned holes, said bands being of width greater than the diameter of said holes and of substantial thickness yieldingly and hingedly holding said members adjacent each other at said aligned edges, said bands also being stretchable about the opposite edges of said members, and, when so stretched, pressing said members together to compress linens therebetween.

2. An article as claimed in claim l in which a second cover member, corresponding to said first-named cover member, is provided beneath said base member, to provide a second linen storage and compression Zone between said second cover member and the opposite side of said base member.

3. An article as claimed in claim 1 in which said cover member is fabricated of transparent plastic material, whereby the contents of said press may be observed without opening said cover member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 484,301 Day Oct. 11, 1892 560,975 Cornes May 26, 1896 2,119,603 Schwab June 7, 1938 FOREIGN PATENTS 515,661 France Nov. 27, 1920 

